Annual Report 2013-2014
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Department of Police and Justice 2013–14 Annual Report Annual Report 2013–14 Office of the Secretary Justice Precinct Offices Locked Bag 5111 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 www.justice.nsw.gov.au The Hon. Brad Hazzard MP Attorney General and Minister for Justice 52 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 31 October 2014 Dear Attorney I am pleased to present the Annual Report 2013–14. The report and the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Reports (Departments) Act 1985 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. Following the tabling of the report in Parliament, it will be available for public access on the Justice website at www.justice.nsw.gov.au. I commend the report to you. Yours faithfully Andrew Cappie-Wood Secretary 2 Annual Report 2013–14 Table of Contents About the Department 4 Secretary’s foreword 6 Highlights 2013–14 9 Corporate governance 15 Leadership team 17 Chapter 1 Effective and efficient crime prevention 20 Chapter 2 Diversionary programs without compromising community safety 25 Chapter 3 Effective and efficient interventions and programs addressing risk factors for re-offending 31 Chapter 4 Effective management and supervision of offenders in the community 62 Chapter 5 Safe, secure and humane management of offenders in custody 73 Chapter 6 High quality client services 92 Chapter 7 Accessible, high quality information and community education 98 Chapter 8 Timely and effective resolution of disputes, civil and criminal matters 103 Chapter 9 Law reform and evidence-based justice policy and research 108 Chapter 10 Business-focused corporate services via Centres of Excellence 113 Chapter 11 Support for vulnerable participants in the justice system 117 Chapter 12 Representation and management of life matters for individuals 122 Chapter 13 Promotion and protection of rights 126 Financial statements 131 Appendixes 215 Index 339 3 About the Our vision Department A just and safe society. Our purpose The Department of Police and Justice1 provides an effective justice system by delivering programs and services which contribute to building safe communities and the protection of rights. Our role The Department of Police and Justice delivers legal, court and supervision services to the people of NSW by managing courts and justice services, implementing programs to reduce crime and re offending, managing custodial and community-based correctional centres and programs, protecting rights and advising on law reform and legal matters. The Department delivers a diverse range of essential services and support to the people of NSW wherever and whenever their lives come in contact with the state’s criminal or civil justice system. 1 At the end of the reporting period the Department was known as the Department of Police and Justice. It is now the Department of Justice. 4 Annual Report 2013–14 Within the NSW justice system, the Department’s role includes responsibilities to: Our environment • advise the government on law, justice and The Department of Police and Justice is legal reforms the Principal Department for the Police and Justice Cluster.2 The Cluster is made • administer courts, tribunals and community up of 12 agencies working collaboratively justice centres to achieve effective and efficient operation of the justice system and emergency • implement effective intervention and services in NSW and to progress the State diversionary programs to reduce Plan NSW 2021. re-offending risks, prevent crime and divert, support and rehabilitate young and These agencies are: adult offenders • deliver offence-specific programs particularly • Department of Police and Justice in relation to violent and sexual offences • Fire and Rescue NSW • supervise and monitor adult offenders • Information and Privacy Commission • provide secure, safe and humane • The Judicial Commission of NSW management of juvenile detainees and adult inmates • Legal Aid NSW • supervise young people in custody, on bail • Ministry for Police and Emergency Services or sentenced to community based orders NSW Crime Commission • provide legal, professional and • NSW Police Force regulatory services • NSW State Emergency Service • provide support services for victims of crime including counselling, compensation and • Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions court support • NSW Rural Fire Service • record life events • Crown Solicitor’s Office • provide responsive services to vulnerable (from 24 February 2014) members of the community requiring life management and decision-making support. 2 At the end of the reporting period, the Cluster was known as the Police and Justice Cluster. It is now the Justice Cluster. 5 It is with pleasure that I introduce the annual Secretary’s foreword report of the Department of Police and Justice for the 2013–14 financial year, and my first report as Secretary of the Department. It should be noted that in the period covered by this report the Department was known as ‘Police and Justice’. Since July 2014, we are known as the Department of Justice. In a year that has seen many changes in the Department, I have been impressed by the commitment of our staff to deliver on the goals outlined in our Strategic Framework that guides our efforts for a just and safe society. We have been able to deliver real improvements in our services to the community, in our management of offenders and detainees and in the program of reforms we are undertaking to improve the way we manage our organisation. The Department’s Strategic Framework 2012– 2014 sets out how our Department will deliver on the NSW 2021 Plan goals for which our Department has responsibility and can be found on page 9 of this report. Many of our initiatives focus on improving client services. We made significant progress in this area with the successful consolidation of more than 20 of the state’s tribunals into the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. During the transition, each tribunal continued a seamless service to their clients while also contributing to the necessary work towards standardising structures and procedures. The public of NSW now has access to a one-stop-shop service for tribunal matters available at up to 70 locations across the state. In its first year of operation, the new Victims Support Scheme has changed the experience of victims of crime in NSW for the better. Previously, the process of supporting victims was complex and slow, victims had to pay their own expenses and may have waited up to three years for a decision on reimbursement. The new person-centred approach is designed to provide immediate access to support and financial assistance with support coordinators helping victims to clarify their needs, apply for support and negotiate the complex human services and justice systems. This change ensures victims receive support at the time when they most need it rather than many months or even years past their traumatic life event. On the basis of 6 Annual Report 2013–14 this work, the Victims Services team has, most inmates learning construction trades to erect the recently, been chosen as a finalist in the 2014 new building, all resulting in a high functioning and NSW Premier’s Awards. secure education facility. In our partnership with communities, Graffiti Innovations in technology are increasingly Removal Day continues to improve its popularity. transforming information access. In the area of crime Last October, the Day attracted volunteers to research, the Department’s crime mapping tool, the over 200 sites across the state with numbers first of its kind in the country, turns large amounts of volunteers increasing by 84 per cent over of detailed statistics, into a highly visual and easily the previous year and increasing the area of accessible reference for anyone interested crime graffiti removal by 184 per cent. At the time of statistics by region. As well as developing this new this report, the 2014 Graffiti Removal Day is tool, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research also being held with greater numbers than ever maintained its high work rate with 18 research registered to participate and help deal with this reports issued this year. issue in local communities. Information communication technology has also A new and vital addition to our work in custodial enabled the delivery, this year, of a new online Services, this year, has been the establishment and registration tool ‘LifeLink’ for NSW Registry appointment of the Inspector of Custodial Services. of Births, Deaths and Marriages which makes it The first report from this new Office, enlightened possible for the community to access this service us with a deeper understanding of the immense anywhere anytime. Similarly, we launched a new responsibilities that correctional services officers online Jury Management system which makes face each day, and night, in providing a high level participating in jury services simpler with real-time of care to a fragile and volatile prison population. updates on participating in the process of jury selection and attending court. In both Juvenile Justice and Corrective Services, the year has seen structural change and process In 2013–14, going to court in NSW, for many, review in community corrections aimed at was easier. As the Department’s capital works improving delivery of services. In Juvenile Justice, program continues, people across the state the Joint Support Program has replaced the from Penrith to Armidale and Coffs Harbour, Community Funding Program. The new program are experiencing a modern amenity importantly has three-year funding contracts ensuring a delivering high standards of access for people longer engagement for casework collaboration with different capabilities and capacities. In the and to work on issues facing young people case of court processes, in more and more areas struggling to find a place to live, a job or dealing of litigation, getting your forms completed and with family problems at home. Corrective Services lodged can be done online at home or the office has introduced an enhanced model for offenders with our Online Registry services.